The performance and application of commonly used carbomer series

Depending on the degree of crosslinking and molecular weight, Carbopol has a variety of products of different types, including traditional series such as Carbopol 910, 934, 934 P, 940, 941, and 954, as well as new polymers such as Carbopol Ultrez 20/21 . Different types of carbomers have different uses in various industries due to their suspension stability characteristics, fluidity change length and other properties. Let's take a look at the properties and applications of the most commonly used carbomers in cosmetics.
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Traditional carbomer
Carbopol 934 (benzene solvent homopolymer)
Appearance: white loose powder, slightly odor
Performance: short rheology; medium and high viscosity; medium transparency, slightly yellow; low ion resistance; high shear resistance; suspension stability, high heat resistance
Safety: There may be residual solvents (benzene or xylene)
Application: Suitable for high-viscosity gels, lotions and ointments; suspension and emulsification; topical application; skin care; hair care; taste masking agent; cream; hand, body and face lotion. It is widely used in medicine (ointment) formulations and cosmetic creams.
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Carbopol 940 (benzene solvent homopolymer)
Appearance: white loose powder, slightly odor
Performance: (jelly type) very short rheology; high viscosity; high transparency; low ion resistance; low shear resistance; high yield value (suspension ability)
Solubility: soluble in water, glycerin and ethanol, etc.
Safety: No mold will grow when dry, non-toxic and non-irritating
Application: It can provide the stability of the oil-in-water emulsification system and is suitable for use in lotions and creams.
Suggested dosage: 0.2% ~ 1.5%

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Carbopol 941/971 (benzene solvent homopolymer)
Appearance: white loose powder, slightly odor
Performance: (snot type) long rheology; low viscosity; high transparency; medium ion resistance; low shear resistance
Solubility: soluble in water, glycerin and ethanol, etc.
Application: It can produce low-viscosity permanent emulsions and suspensions, even ionic systems, and the resulting colloids have good transparency (more effective at low concentrations). Carbo 941 is used as an oil-in-water emulsification system in the cosmetics industry. Stabilizer, 971 is used as a slow-release agent in the pharmaceutical industry, suitable for transparent gels, hydroalcoholic gels and emulsion products.
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※Improved carbomer (no benzene)
Carbopol 980 (co-solvent homopolymer)
Chemical name: Cross-linked polyacrylic resin
Appearance: white loose powder, slightly odor
Performance: very short rheology; high viscosity; high transparency; low ion resistance; low shear resistance; high yield value (suspension ability)
Solubility: soluble in water, glycerin and ethanol, etc.
Application: Suitable for thickening, suspending and emulsifying in cosmetics or pharmaceutical formulations. Such as: styling gel, hydroalcoholic gel, moisturizing gel, shower gel, toothpaste, shampoo, shaving gel, moisturizing cream and sunscreen lotion, etc.
Dosage: 0.2% ~ 1.5%
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Carbopol 1342 (hydrophobic modified copolymer)
Chemical name: Cross-linked polyacrylic resin
Appearance: white loose powder
Performance: long flow characteristics; medium viscosity; high transparency; high ion resistance; high shear resistance; high yield value (suspension capacity)
Solubility: soluble in water, glycerin and ethanol, etc.
Application: Excellent rheology modifier in the presence of electrolyte, polymerization and emulsification, suitable for aqueous solutions or dispersions containing water-soluble salts.
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Carbopol ETD 2020
Chemical name: Acrylate/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Cross-linked Copolymer
Appearance: white loose powder
Performance: long rheology; medium viscosity; high transparency; high ion resistance; shear resistance; efficient thickening, strong suspension ability
Application: Suitable for transparent gels, hydroalcoholic gels, surfactant systems (special shampoos, cleaning products, etc.), and systems with high electrolyte content (such as aloe gel), etc.
Suggested dosage: 0.2% ~ 1.5%
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Carbopol AQUA SF-1
New liquid acrylic rheology modifier
INCI name: acrylic (ester) copolymer
Appearance: milky white to white liquid
Performance: long rheology; high viscosity; medium transparency (the body is opaque, after adding the product); low ion resistance; high shear resistance
Solubility: soluble in water, glycerin and ethanol, etc.
Application: It can be formulated into a clear formula, has excellent compatibility with a variety of ingredients, acidified and thickened, and can be used in surfactant systems.
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Carbopol Ultrez 20 (new easily dispersible copolymer)
Chemical name: Acrylate/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Cross-linked Copolymer
Appearance: white loose powder
Performance: long rheology; high transparency; medium viscosity; medium ion resistance; high shear resistance; easy to disperse, excellent and stable suspension ability
Application: It can be used in shampoos, shower gels, creams, lotions, and hydrogels with high electrolyte content. In addition, U20 can also give the product a bright appearance, with better fluidity and pourability, providing the product with a smooth, light, and soft touch.
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Carbopol Ultrez 21 (new easily dispersible copolymer)
Chemical name: Acrylate/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Cross-linked Copolymer
Appearance: white loose powder
Performance: short rheology; high viscosity; high transparency; low ion resistance; shear resistance; easy to disperse, self-wetting, high-efficiency thickening, strong suspension ability, can give the formula a constant viscosity.
Application: It can be used for gel, washing and cleaning products, high electrolyte products, etc.
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Pemulen TR-1 (hydrophobic modified copolymer)
Chemical name: Acrylate/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Cross-linked Copolymer
Appearance: white powder
Performance: short rheology
Application: Multifunctional thickening emulsifier, used as a stabilizer in oil-in-water systems, and can be used in creams and lotions.
Suggested dosage: 0.2% ~ 0.4% to achieve 20.0% oil content.
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Pemulen TR-2 (hydrophobic modified copolymer)
Chemicals: acrylate/C10-30 alkyl acrylate cross-linked copolymer
Appearance: white powder
Performance: long rheology
Application: Multifunctional thickening emulsifier, used as a stabilizer in oil-in-water systems, and can be used in emulsions.
Suggested dosage: 0.15% ~ 0.30% to achieve 60.0% oil content.